JL Fields is under the Herbivore Spotlight. Fields is the culinary director and founder of Colorado Springs Vegan Cooking Academy, a Master Vegan Lifestyle Coach & Educator, a Food for Life instructor, chef instructor, personal chef, career coach, and more. She also writes practical cookbooks like The Vegan Air Fryer and Vegan Pressure Cooking. Phew. What a mouthful! Read on to learn JL's advice for new vegans, her vegan reasons, and why teaching others to cook is so important...

We are so thrilled to have Marissa Lewis under the Herbivore Spotlight. Marissa Lewis is the vegan artist and craftswoman behind Mishakaudi Jewelry, and we carry many of her unique necklaces, rings, and earrings in store and online. We love Mishakaudi Jewelry for their distinctive designs and effortless style, and because each piece of jewelry is made by vegan hands, from vegan materials, in the Pacific Northwest!

Say hey to Deanna! Deanna is our kickass merchandising manager. She finds quality vegan products and introduces them to our store. She also handles our interior displays, shoots photography for our website and social media, contacts vendors, and orchestrates donations to various vegan events and organizations (like The Humane League)! Phew. That’s a lot. Basically, Deanna knows what’s what about all things Herbivore, and probably knows the answer to any of your questions. She also knows all the songs on Say Anything’s album, ...Is A Real Boy, by heart, and has already met and snuggled all the dogs in Portland. Seriously. All the dogs. Keep reading to get to know Deanna…

Longtime vegan and animal rights advocate Dianne Lamberty is under the Herbivore Spotlight. Along with organizing events at Out To Pasture Sanctuary, Dianne is a therapist that works with families and people with eating disorders. She also rescued two pigs, Barbie and Skipper, from their fate to be food! Her relationship with Barbie, Skipper, and the other animals at Out To Pasture, has fueled her passion for animal rights and prompted her to become more involved with the vegan community. She has constructed her occupation and life around goals of peace and mindfulness, and believes veganism is the best way she can contribute to a healthier world full of empathy and compassion.

Meet Mercedes! Mercedes is the newest member of the Herbivore team, but arguably the most enthusiastic. When she's not eating entire watermelons with a spoon, drinking iced Americanos, and providing great customer service, Mercedes likes to hike with her vegan girlfriends, listen to Janis Joplin cassettes, and spend quality time with her partner and her dog Milton. If you see Mercedes in the store, go ahead and strike up a conversation about anything-- I guarantee you will leave laughing or smiling, and probably on your way to Back To Eden for vegan and gluten-free desserts that are, in her own words, "to die for." Read on to learn more about Mercedes's Herbivore Story...